Not all cats are house cats, some kitties like hanging outside. They still need some shelter though. An outdoor cat house will make your cat happy and comfy. It will take your mind off worrying about the cat.
The cat house you need depends on the weather in your area. During the winter, the house needs to be insulated or heated. Buying an outdoor cat house takes some research.
To save you the trouble, here is a list of the 5 best outdoor cat houses for winter. I’ll make sure to include some summer items too. Make sure to go through the list and check out the buying guide at the end.
Quick Navigation
Best Outdoor Cat House Comparison Table
| Product | Features | Check Out The Price |
|---|---|---|
  | - Heated Outdoor Cat House - Waterproof - No-assembly - Removable Heated Floor | K&H Thermo Kitty Heated Shelter |
  | - Insulated Cat Shelter - Sleep Surface - Easy Care - Heated Pet Bed | K&H Outdoor Heated Cat House |
  | - Pet Pillow - Environment Friendly - 2 Cats Max - High R Insulation | The Kitty Tube Outdoor Insulated Cat House |
  | - 2-Story Cat House - Weatherproof - Escape Door - Finnish Spruce Boards | Petsfit Outdoor Cat House |
  | - 2-Story Design - Wooden Construction - Escape Door - Spacious | Petsfit Outdoor Cat Condo Enclosure |
Best Overall
K&H Thermo Kitty Heated Shelter
Highlighted Features
- Heated Outdoor Cat House
- Waterproof
- No-assembly
- Removable Heated Floor
- Extreme Weather Exterior
The best item on this list, a simple effective design for a winter kitty house. Slightly on the expensive side but definitely worth it. It can be placed in a garage, barn, your porch, basically any sheltered area around your house. Let’s see what the features are.
One-piece outdoor cat house requires no assembly. Made from high-quality durable materials. The exterior is a rugged heavy denier polyester exterior. This is waterproof and handles harsh winter conditions.
On the inside, there is a fleece-lined pad for the floor. The heaters and the pad are removable. A simple solution for cold temperatures. This K&H product will keep your cats warm throughout the winter months. Once it gets a bit warmer, you can just remove the pad or just the heating.
The house comes with a one-year warranty. Nice to see a manufacturer that puts trust into a product. This house has also been tested for safety. The heating is designed for a cat’s body temperature, so you can be sure it’s comfy.
There you go, I highly recommend this. I like it because it’s simple, it requires no assembly, and it’s reliable. I admit though, it’s a bit expensive.
Pros
- Durable exterior material that lives through hard conditions.
- The 20-wat heated fleece-lined pad keeps the cat comfy.
- 1-Year warranty.
Cons
- No escape for feral cats.
Best Budget
K&H Outdoor Heated Cat House
Highlighted Features
- Insulated Cat Shelter
- Sleep Surface
- Easy Care
- Heated Pet Bed
- Two Exits
Yet another K&H product. This is just a budget option. As I said, the previous cat house was quite expensive, so I thought I would recommend something for people on a budget. It just turns out that this manufacturer offers a cheap reliable winter cat house.
Featuring a weather-resistant rugged exterior. 
There are 2 exits, both covered with a top shelter to avoid a messy entry. Perfect for garages, barns, porches. It can be even used inside the house. It will fit multiple cats, the second exit makes sure feral cats won’t get trapped.
Easy to clean as well. Maintain a clean environment with no effort. You can clean the entire house by disassembling it. The fleece sleep bed is also removable and washable.
Again, this product has been tested, it’s up to regulations. Made specifically for keeping cats warm and cozy during the winter months. An efficient winter cat house for pet owners on a budget. Consider this option if you don’t want to overspend.
Pros
- Insulated and heated.
- Durable weather-resistant exterior.
- Easy to use and easy to care for.
- Trap exit for feral cats.
Cons
- Not that stable, needs to be placed under a shelter.
Best Runner-Up
The Kitty Tube Outdoor Insulated Cat House
Highlighted Features
Insulated Kitty Tube
- Pet Pillow
- Environment Friendly
- 2 Cats Max
- High R Insulation
For the runner-up, I wanted to add something unconventional. This winter cat house impressed me. An interesting design that will definitely keep your cats warm without using heating. Probably my second choice when it comes to cat houses.
The entire house is basically a big tube. That’s the thing with this house. If you like that, then this is definitely the cat house for you.
The roof, the floor, and the floor are all insulated with a high R-value insulation. One of the best ways to keep cats calm. No need to waste energy on heating.
It consists of two parts, the base, and the top lifting. The top can be removed or lifted a certain way for better insulation. The floor is lifted off the ground for better insulation.
Only one exit though, a door with a flap. There is plenty of space in the house though, the cats will stay comfy and warm. It can fit up to 2 cats.
A bed pillow is included with the house. Comfortable for sleeping during the winter. The house has protection from predators. Just close the flap, and adjust the top for ventilation.
Truly, a unique design. A bit expensive but quite worth it. I highly recommend it to pet owners that are tired of the usual kitty shelter.
Pros
- Good insulation throughout the entire house.
- Durable and reliable.
- Environment-friendly.
Cons
- A bit expensive.
- Fits 2 cats max.
Best Outdoor Cat House For Summer
Petsfit Outdoor Cat House
Highlighted Features
- 2-Story Cat House
- Weatherproof
- Escape Door
- Finnish Spruce Boards
- Non-Toxic
Some of you may be looking for a summer cat house. So, I wanted to deliver on that. Here is a top-notch 2-story cat house. More of a universal house, feel free to use this during the winter too. If you live in an area that has both summer and winter, this is the house for you.
Featuring a two levels design. In the second story, we have a resting area with a shelter for those sunny warm days. At the base level, we have entry to the house. This is where the cat can hide from the rain or just rest.
Durable wooden construction all around. A sturdy house that will withstand heavy rain and heavy wind. Made with 12mm thick finish spruce boards. Coated with non-toxic water-based paint.
There are two exits. We have the normal wide entry and an escape flap door. Perfect for feral cats too. The exits are angled made so rain can’t get in.
Overhang tents with asphalt to protect the cats from rain. This cat house is specifically made to endure heavy rain and heavy winds. That’s why it’s the perfect house for areas that get all seasons.
Pros
- Durable wooden coated construction.
- Plenty of space with escape for feral cats.
- Two-story design.
Cons
- A bit expensive.
- No padding or pillow.
Best Outdoor Cat House For Feral Cats
Petsfit Outdoor Cat Condo Enclosure
Highlighted Features
- 2-Story Design
- Wooden Construction
- Escape Door
- Spacious
- Removable Roof
Here goes the last item on this list. That doesn’t mean anything, still as good as the other items. A spacious and cozy outdoor cat house that feral cats won’t get stuck in. If you are having issues with feral cats, consider this item.
Again, the signature Petsfit Finnish wooden source construction. Sturdy and durable, it can withstand bad weather. The roof is hinged to prevent water from coming in. It is also removable for easy cleaning.
There are three exits. The house has two levels. Designed for multiple cats, lots of jump pads. Plenty of space on the inside. There are two normal exits one on each floor and an escape door for feral cats.
Truly a spacious design. On top of all that, there are also two balcony pads. A cat house that has protection for everything. There is a hole for litter, a waterproof eave, and asphalt for rain protection.
Preferably, you would use this during the summer in an area that gets heavy rains. I don’t recommend this for winter usage.
That was the last item, did you like it? I listed this here just in case there are any pet owners with a lot of stray cats coming in the yard.
Pros
- Non-toxic coated wooden construction.
- 2-Story house with a balcony and plenty of space.
- Good for multiple cats.
- Feral cats can exit.
Cons
- A bit expensive
- Can’t be used in the winter.
Best Outdoor Cat House – Buying Guide
As promised, a buying guide. I know that it’s hard to decide on what is the best product for you. Maybe, you are looking for something else on your own.
Well, this guide will help you. We will go over the important features and questions you should consider.
Winter Or Summer
The first thing to consider is the weather conditions in your area. How many seasons do you get? Does the house need to have heating?
An outdoor cat house not built for the weather that it’s in will not last. More so, your cats won’t be sheltered. If you live in an area that’s mostly sunny and warm, go for a summer outdoor house.
If you live in an area that has a really bad winter. Go for a winter house. Something that is insulated really well or something that has heating.
It’s not ideal but people that get both summer and winter may need two houses.
House Space
Another important thing to think about is whether you need a spacious house. How many cats do you have? Do your cat likes a bigger room?
If this is the first time you are buying an outdoor cat house, you can’t really know what your cat is used to. Either way, if you have multiple cats go for a two-story house.
Waterproof
Now, no matter where you live, an outdoor cat house must be waterproof. This is something that you shouldn’t think about.
Water resistance is crucial for a good cat house. Every area gets rain nowadays. Even if it rains once a year, that rain can ruin a house that has no rain protection. More so, the cats will get wet.
Escape Door
When stray cats see a cat house they will most likely go in it. I don’t know if you are aware of this but it’s important.
There is a chance that the stray cat will not figure out how to exit. It may get trapped. When that happens, it’s in an aggressive state. If your cat enters then, a fight may start.
That’s why it’s really important to get an outdoor cat house that has a trap door beside the entry door. If you see that your yard attracts a lot of stray cats, an escape door is a must.
Durability
This goes without saying, but the house you get should be durable. There are too many weather conditions that slowly affect the house.
The sun will start eating away through any material. Rain may also tear things apart or cause mold growth. Heavy winds can make the house not sturdy.
So, a high-quality outdoor cat house should be able to withstand any type of harsh weather. Otherwise, you will be buying a cat house every year. A coated wooden construction or something rugged is what I recommend.
Price
The cost of the house factors in too. Believe me, these outdoor cat houses can get ridiculously expensive. I’m not saying that you shouldn’t spend big bucks on a house.
All I’m saying is that you should know what you are paying for. It doesn’t make sense to get something expensive that offers only the basic features.
Get something that is suitable for your budget. Don’t go out of the way. Just make sure your cat will be nice and cozy.
Related Questions And Other FAQs
Where Is The Best Place To Put An Outdoor Cat House
An outdoor cat house should be under a sheltered area, a bit lifted off the ground. Ideal places are a garage, near the porch, barns. The sun can provide warmth during the day. Just avoid putting the house out in the open.
Do Outdoor Cats Need A Heated House
During the winter, all cats need a heated shelter. No matter how a stray cat lives, it would still prefer a warm house. The cold temperatures are too much for cats.
